2005 American Lifan reviews

You will love this bike or hate it. This bike will give you problems, but fix the problem or move on. This bike is for men who want a powerful, beautiful bike and are willing to take on a challenge. If that's not you, go buy a bike with all great reviews. Show less

Purchased bike used with 2000 miles on it. Bike has been nothing but awesome. Just the other day I started having minor problems with the instrument cluster. Overall I love it. Strap a 111 cu s&s to your back and see if some nuts rattle loose. The question with custom bikes is not will you have minor problems but how many. Personally I have had very few. What few I have had, I fixed myself instead of whining to my dealer. If you can't fix it, don't ride it... Show less

WHEN I BOUGHT MY IRONHORSE, I FEEL IN LOVE WITH IT. THE POWER, THE HANDLING, AND THE APPEARANCE- NO ONE ELSE HAS GOT THAT RIGHT NOW. BUT REMEMBER ALL CUSTOM BUILT OR MASS PRODUCED MOTORCYCLES/VEHICLES HAVE PARTS THAT ARE ALL MAN MADE AND ARE SUBJECT TO DEFECTS AND HUMAN ERROR. I HAVE RODE MY SLAMMER 1300 MILES SO FAR- ONLY HAD 1 NO START (BAD CONNECTOR AT STARTER) AND THE CRANKSHAFT DRIVE SPROCKET NUT BACKED OFF ENOUGH THAT IT HAD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE, BUT DID NO DAMAGE. I HAVE HAD HARLEYS THAT HAS WENT DOWN WITH PROBLEMS. MY ONLY PROBLEM IS FINDING A GOOD DEALER WITH TECHICIANS THAT KNOW HOW TO FIX THEM, AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH DEALERS AROUND. I HAVE TO GO 100 MILES EACH TIME I WANT SERVICE ON MY HORSE. MY COUSIN HAS A 2004 TEXAS CHOPPER AND ONLY BROKE DOWN TWICE SINCE HE HAS HAD IT- BATTERY AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR. Show less

I had the bike for 2 years and the only problem with it was the assembly. I did not check all the bolts and the chain ended up breaking. Have not had a problem since, runs great, always starts, and it has enough power for me. I am very happy with this bike. I just bought a second one (skygo/lifan 200cc sport) and it is also a very nice bike. Show less

I purchased this two years ago on a whim, got warned that anything that cheap can't be any good. At first the transmission was terribly stiff, changed oil at 100 miles, still stiff at 300 miles change. Finally around 1000 miles it got normal. Adjusted valves at 600 miles, they were on the tight side! It has been dependable saved over $300. on gas, speedo cable broke used a universal one at auto parts store. Still on the original battery, broke a peg laying it down to avoid a car that cut me off. Some rubber starting to deteriate, but everything is working. For the money it's hard to beat with regular maintance and care this one's done just fine. Show less

I'V HAD A FEW MINOR PROBLEMS. I REPLACED THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND HAVE RESEALED BOTH CYCLINDERS FOR BASE GASKET PROBLEM. I LOVE AMERICAN IRONHORSE MOTORCYCLES AND THE DEALER WAS GREAT. I READ A LOT OF THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS AND I THINK THEY SHOULD RIDE THEIR BIKES MORE OFTEN. ALMOST ALL THE MILES WERE BELOW 2000 MILES. THEY ARE NOT BIKERS WITH THAT KIND OF MILEAGE. I've ONLY HAD MINE A YEAR AND I RUN IT ALL THE TIME. I've OWNED A LOT OF BIKES, THEY ALL BREAK DOWN. SOME MORE THAN OTHERS. Show less

I own two LF250's and I've had no problems. You do have to be good with a wrench to put one together if you buy it over the internet, but it's well worth the hour or so it takes. I have de-baffled the pipes, re-jetted the carb and now the bikes make tons of power. If you're looking to spend as little as possible to see if the motorcycle lifestyle is for you or if you have a lady that wants to ride, then this is your bike. Have fun and be safe. Show less

I've owned a lot of bikes, from cruisers to full race and this Texas Ironhorse beats them all hands down! It's looks, its power, its ride, and overall quality blow the others away. There is no other bike like it on the road! Thank you American Ironhorse! Show less

I purchased this Lifan 250 V-twin in November 2005. I had it shipped to the closest air terminal, picked the bike up, brought it home, uncrated it and assembled the front wheel and tire and handle bars to the front forks. The neutral safety switch was pinched off at the left handgrip. I ordered a new one and had it sent to me. Since it was winter (too cold to ride) I used blue "Locktite" on all nuts and bolts I could access. I removed the "dinky" turn signals, replaced them with Yamaha OEM turn signals I bought. I used the "mustache" rear assembly from a Yamaha 650 Classic, and the front light bar from a 2005 V-star 1700. This change gives the bike more "personality," and superior quality. I installed a pair of "Savage" leather saddle bags, and a leather tool bag that straps perfectly to the rear seat backrest. The shift lever and foot brake were very uncomfortable for my 32" inseam legs, so I purchased a forward control kit. This eliminated the problem and is now the most comfortable bike I have ridden (for its size) so far. I haven't had a moment's problem with starting or driving this bike. It handles great and is easy to maneuver, driving or pushing it to store in the shed! First gear is a bit torquey and I'm going to contact another reviewer to find where I can purchase a 38 tooth rear sprocket. I did a stupid stunt by filling the gas tank to within 1 inch of the top of the filler opening, put the bike in the shed (outside temperature averaged 90 degrees for 4 days) gasoline expanded, overflowed, and dissolved a streak of the clear coat on the gas tank! Overall I enjoy the bike, drive it everyday to and from work, and have not had any mechanical or electrical problems. A large number of the Yamaha Virago 250 parts are interchangeable. The owner's manual suggests 10-40 crankcase oil. I use Castrol 5-50 Syntec for easy starts and more protection from the heat caused at cruising speed and summer temperatures. Show less

I got the Tejas a year ago and it rocks. I never had any trouble with it at all. American Ironhorse has been the best; I e-mail them and within 24 hrs, I had a reply to my e-mail. They were very nice and made sure that I was happy and all their bikes are very cool. I have many friend here who own their bike and they're very happy with them. All I can say is, "American Ironhorse, keep up the good work!" Show less